The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Canada's new Prime Minister prides himself as a politician who is more than happy to venture outside the confines of Ottawa to help address the nation's needs. And Paul Martin did just that in 2001 when, as the federal Minister of Finance, he met with business and municipal government representatives in Flin Flon. About 30 residents discussed community concerns with Martin at a closed-door meeting on May 22, 2001 at the Green Room of the Flin Flon Community Hall. "I feel that it is very important for the Minister of Finance to get out of Ottawa and talk to people," Martin told The Reminder following the meeting. Martin heard some familiar local concerns at the meeting, including "taxes, the necessity of preserving the mining industry, health care and transportation issues." See 'An' P.# Con't from P.# He summed up the Flin Flon meeting as "one of the best meetings of this kind" he ever attended. Martin made Flin Flon a stop on a tour of Western Canadian communities at the suggestion of Kent Davidson, the president of Alberta Liberal Party and brother of local businessman Scott Davidson. Scott, who attended and helped organize the meeting, felt the gathering would serve the community well. "Flin Flon got an opportunity to be heard at the federal level," he said shortly before posing for a photo with Martin. "Mr. Martin's time here was valuable, and he was able to get some good feedback from the community that he will be able to take under advisement in the future. It was nice to have a minister of his stature come here and find out what our concerns are." Martin, 65, became Canada's 21st Prime Minister on Friday, replacing the retiring Jean Chretien. Martin has vowed to make government more accountable, improve relations with the United States and create stronger federal-provincial cooperation, especially with the western provinces. The native of Windsor, Ont. once enjoyed a successful career as a lawyer and businessman, including time as CEO of Canada Streamship Lines.12/15/2003
